NEW YORK (AP) 鈥 President Joe Biden virtually addressed the Rev. Al Sharpton鈥檚 racial justice conference on Friday, telling a sympathetic crowd 鈥渨e鈥檝e kept our promises鈥 as he ramps up efforts to energize Black voters who will be vital to his reelection bid this fall.
Addressing several hundred attendees at the annual 春色直播 Action Network Convention in New York, Biden ticked through a long list of what he said were some of his administration's key accomplishments for Black Americans. He detailed providing federal public works funding , and also investing billions in historically Black colleges and universities.
鈥淭ogether, we've kept our promises to make some of the most significant investments in the Black American community ever,鈥 Biden said. He also noted his , combating racial discrimination in the real estate market and for millions of Americans.
He called that 鈥渢ransformational change鈥 but said, 鈥淲e know there鈥檚 much more work to do.鈥 He said he still hoped to sign major legislation and the , a police reform package named for a by Minneapolis police in 2020 sparked widespread racial justice protests and calls for federal legislation.
Biden is facing a November with Republican former President , who has tried to step up his own a .
Trump has suggested that his have boosted his standing with members of the key voting bloc because they see him as a victim of discrimination 鈥 comparing his legal jeopardy to the historic legacy of anti-Black prejudice in the U.S. legal system. The former president has also repeatedly compared himself to anti-apartheid activist , arguing that federal and state prosecutors have targeted him and his businesses for political reasons.
Although Biden historically enjoys high support and approval from Black Democrats, 45% of Black Americans said they disapprove of the way Biden is handling his job as president in March, according to polling by . Just over half said they approve.
Biden didn't mention Trump by name in his speech Friday, but referred to opposition by top Republicans to abortion rights and expanded access to the ballot box in stressing, 鈥淭here are real threats we face.鈥
鈥淭here are more extreme voices out there who simply don鈥檛 want to see people of color in the future of our country,鈥 the president said.
Terrence Floyd, George Floyd鈥檚 brother, said it meant a lot to hear Biden pledge to keep pursuing reforms in his sibling鈥檚 name.
鈥淔or him to still be adamant on passing that bill, I appreciate it,鈥 he said. 鈥淗e鈥檚 got the Floyd family behind him.鈥
The act passed the then-Democrat-controlled House in 2021, but stalled in a Senate where Republicans held a majority.
Others in the crowd were equally enthusiastic. About half the audience stood and applauded as the president approached the podium at a White House auditorium that was seen on a livestream.
Biden's virtual speech capped a week of appearances from administration officials and other prominent local and national leaders. Vice President Kamala Harris addressed the convention in person last year.
Elaine Duval, of New York City, said she found the president to be genuine in his appeals to Black voters and that she doesn't 鈥渢hink that he has gotten the praise and merit that he deserves.鈥 But she also suggested that Biden missed an opportunity to address the suffering of Palestinians amid Israel鈥檚 in the Gaza strip.
鈥淥ppression of any people anywhere is oppression of humanity,鈥 Duval said. 鈥淎nd Black people, the Black race, we have been used to oppression and subjugation. I wish he had mentioned that because they are our kinfolk. He should bring the power of the presidency to bear upon that.鈥
As he travels the country campaigning for reelection, Biden has frequently faced protesters decrying his administration's handling of the war in Gaza.
Sharpton, who has regularly convened a small group of civil rights leaders at the White House on issues affecting Black Americans, introduced Biden by recounting his years of engagement with the 春色直播 Action Network.
鈥淚 give that background so people won鈥檛 think he鈥檚 just doing his viral speech to get votes,鈥 Sharpton said.
He also took a swipe at Trump, saying, 鈥淭here are those that want our voters, that want to take us for granted and show us some gold sneakers and other foolishness."
鈥淲e want to know about concrete things,鈥 Sharpton said.
Franklin Malone, a member of NAN鈥檚 Washington chapter, said he would have liked to hear Biden speak more about addressing incarceration rates in the Black community, beyond marijuana offenders.
鈥淲e can press for what we need. But at least he鈥檚 on the right track,鈥 Malone said. 鈥淪ometimes a half a chicken is better than no chicken at all.鈥
Malone said Biden didn't sound like a politician taking the Black vote for granted, as Trump has suggested top Democrats do.
鈥淭he president is in a position to empower us to empower him,鈥 Malone said. 鈥淗e needs our vote. We need him.鈥
__ Weissert reported from Washington.
